March 8, 2013

TO: All Members, Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs

FROM: Stanley L. Straughter, Chairman & Honorary Consul of the Republic of Guinea

SUBJECT: Commission Meeting, Wednesday, March 13, 2013

WHEN: Wednesday, March 13, 2013

WHERE: City Council Caucus Room 401

Philadelphia City Hall

Broad and Market Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19107

TIME: 6:00PM to 8:00PM

The Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs continues to develop innovative

initiatives and programs to benefit the African and Caribbean immigrant community in Philadelphia, in

collaboration with other organizations and individuals. During our February meeting Reverend Napolean

Divine and Ms. Sibongile Sithole reported on the work their committee is doing to put eleven (11)

African homeless families into permanent housing.

The business activities of the Commission members continue to grow and benefit our community. Dr.

Azuka Anyiam has organized a trade mission to Cameroon and Gabon next month. The interesting and

important development for this particular trade mission is that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will

pay for the cost of the trade mission for all qualifying firms. Also, Kayo Malomo is organizing a business

forum for our community to discuss “How to do Business with Philadelphia.” Kayo will keep you

informed of his activities.

Our agenda for March 13th is very full and interesting and I want to briefly share a few of the agenda

items with you:

Our dear sister, Patience Lehrman, Director of Project Shine (Students Helping in the

Naturalization of Elders) at Temple University, was recently awarded the Citizens Medal by

President Barack Obama on February 13, 2013 at The White House. Ms. Lehrman is an

immigrant from Cameroon and was one of thirteen (13) people to receive this prestigious

award.

Ms. Bumi Fernandez, President of ODUNDE, Inc. has recently developed programs in

schools in Philadelphia to promote African arts, culture and positive images of African

American boys and girls. She will talk with us about her upcoming trip to Brazil with

Governor Corbett in April to promote Philadelphia and link with organizations in Brazil that

are engaged in African arts and culture.

Ms. Diana Lu is the Director of the new program to provide capital and technical assistance

to 10,000 small businesses in Philadelphia. The initiative is funded by the investment firm

Goldman Sachs and is sponsored by the Philadelphia Department of Commerce. This is a

great opportunity for African and Caribbean entrepreneurs to learn about getting help for your

business idea.

Mr. Joe Meade from the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) will make a presentation on the

Africa exhibit coming to PMA. PMA, as you know, is one of the major cultural institutions

in the United States and is a great tourist attraction. People travel from around the world to

visit PMA. I am honored to have Mr. Meade join us to discuss this exhibit.

The Temple University Student Organization for Caribbean Awareness (SOCA) has agreed to

collaborate with us and they are hosting their annual program and want to invite the

Commission to join this important activity. Also, Ms. Sheila Buchanan, founder of the Philly

Caribbean Carnival, scheduled for June 15, 2013, will make a presentation on her program.

Thanks again for all of your support and I look forward to seeing you at the next Commission meeting.

Commission Meeting Schedule 2013

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

No Meeting in August

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

AGENDA

When: Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Where: Philadelphia City Hall

City Council Caucus Room, 401

Broad Street & Market Street

Philadelphia, PA. 19107

Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Opening Remarks

Stanley L. Straughter, Chairman and Honorary Consul The Republic of Guinea

Dolores Mohammed, Vice Chairman

Honorable Jannie L. Blackwell, City Council of Philadelphia

Introduction of Guests

Shelia Buchanan, Philly Caribbean Carnival, June 15, 2013

Vaughn Coleman, American Financial Education Alliance

Patience Lehrman, President Obama’s Citizens Medal Awardee

Joe Meade, Philadelphia Museum of Art

Diana Lu, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program

Cassandra B., Temple University, Student Organization for Caribbean Awareness

(SOCA)

Mohammed Jomandy, Inter-Faith Council

Bumi Fernandez, president, ODUNDE Inc., Trip to Brazil with Governor Corbett

Special Reports

Chairman’s Report on African Diaspora Marketplace

Dr. Azuka Anyiam, African and Caribbean Business Council (ACBC)

Dr. Camille Ragin, African Caribbean Cancer Consortium (AC3)

Vincent Ngadi, AFRICOM

Committee Reports

Committee Chairpersons

Business & Trade Dr. Azuka Anyiam & Kayo Malomo

Art &Culture Bumi Fernandez

Health & Human Services Raphia Noumbissi

Housing Jean Marie Kouassi

Education Dr. Darlene Thompson, Pat Mitchell-

Keita Doe

Legal & Immigration Kahiga Tiagha, Esq.

Public Relations Sophia Scott

Children & Youth Sena Owerko & Carol Bangura